羅漢図|An Arhat Reading a Sutra by Moonlight

The artist employed cross-hatching, a technique of building tone with fine, intersecting lines, to render the subtle gradations of shadow on the figure.

Jifei Ruyi utilized only black ink on paper to achieve a nuanced depiction of light and shadow. Soft ink washes create the atmospheric quality of night, while the moon's illumination appears to emanate directly onto the monk's scroll, lending a sense of realism. The artist employed cross-hatching, a technique of building tone with fine, intersecting lines, to render the subtle gradations of shadow on the figure.

The artist, Jifei Ruyi, was a Chinese Buddhist monk who later relocated to Japan. His artistic practice, rooted in the ink painting traditions of his homeland, contributed to the cultural exchange between China and Japan during the 17th century. This work exemplifies his ability to infuse traditional subject matter with a distinctive visual style, reflecting his transnational background.